Head to the hills for Ticknock apartments

Sandyford:  A new development of two and three-bedroom homes overlooks Dublin, writes Kate McMorrow

High above the city and with distant views of the bay, Ticknock Hill is Park Developments' latest project and one that should attract early buyers.

Prices start at €300,000 for two-bedroom apartments, €350,000 for one three-bedroom apartment and €470,000 for very large three-bedroom duplex units in this good quality scheme, located off Blackglen Road in Sandyford, Dublin 18.

Hamilton Osborne King is opening show units today in the first phase at Ticknock Hill, which bears all the hallmarks of this developer's keen attention to detail.

Windows are Rationel pine, a steel lift operates from the basement car-park to the apartments and public staircases are sided in glass with brushed steel rails. No space-wasting huge entrance lobbies here, with the extra square footage providing large airy sittingrooms and good-sized bedrooms with wardrobes. Large storage rooms are a welcome addition at this development.

The apartments are attractively split-level, with sleeping quarters separated from the living areas by a short flight of stairs. Some of the duplexes are on four different levels. Even the smallest balcony would take a small table and chairs and some are very large indeed.

Ticknock Hill is being built on a sloping site overlooking Dublin city, with good views from the upper floors. South-facing balconies look across to the hills. About 70 units are being released in the first phase, although HOK will probably sell on if this allocation is sold quickly. Supply is equally divided between apartments and duplexes.

Size matters when it comes to apartment living and these units are larger than average - some are the dimensions of a three-bedroom house. Layouts vary and there are several different kitchen designs to choose from, all good quality.

A typical two-bedroom apartment from 74.3 to 89.5 sq m (800 to 963 sq ft) has a small entrance lobby with a walk-in storage cupboard, opening to a spacious L-shaped living/dining area with the kitchen off to one side. A bank of windows includes a door to the steel-railed terrace or balcony which is separated from neighbours by a brushed glass partition.

A short staircase leads down to the bedroom area, where there are two double bedrooms with wardrobes. Off the main bedroom is a full en suite bathroom with cherry vanity unit and over-bath shower. Floor and wall tiling is standard in the bathrooms and top quality fittings are by Grohe. A glass bath screen and heated towel rail are also standard items.   A shower room similarly well fitted out is off the inner hallway, near bedroom two. This is a useful arrangement for anyone planning to rent out the spare bedroom.

Mannions letting agency has come on board to facilitate investors, who are expected to show strong interest.

A figure of €1,100 to €1,200 is the proposed monthly rent for a two-bedroom unit at Ticknock Hill, with three-bedroom duplexes achieving around €1,600.

Three-bedroom duplex units are set above garden level two-bedroom apartments, benefiting therefore from superb views from upper-level windows. At 148 sq m (1,577 sq ft) they are larger than the average four-bedroom estate house. These are duplexes with a difference, on four levels and offering a variety of living options.

The show apartment enters from a first floor terrace to a lobby with a downstairs toilet and large walk-in storage room and airing cupboard. On the next level is a large sittingroom with doors to a south-facing terrace and the main bedroom with en suite shower.

Upstairs again is a great kitchen/diningroom with three skylights, very tall ceilings and panoramic views over the city. Two further bedrooms and the main bathroom take up the top floor, which looks south.

There is just one three-bedroom apartment for sale in this phase, priced at €350,000 for 89.5 sq m (963 sq ft) of accommodation.

Park Developments is responsible for several high quality schemes in recent years, among them Mount St Anne's in Milltown, Carrickmines Wood and Kelston in Foxrock.

The company is noted for its attention to landscaping and the grounds at Ticknock Wood are already showing promise.